Inspiration

"Before Steve Jobs, made the iPod..."

Jay-Z - The Prelude

Thursday I watched a movie entitled BIG with Tom Hanks...whereas he goes from being a child to age 30, and while he became successful at a toy company as a product line manager...all he wanted in the end was to be a kid again.

Innocence

The film made me think of my youth and how I really enjoyed competing and playing sports...now my main concerns are the responsibilities of life after college, and paying bills. When I write and travel to arenas for interviews, I find it as an opportunity to escape...sometimes losing myself in the game, and my work.

I got my start as a journalist with SLAM Magazine in '03, and my favorite subject has always been Kobe Bryant. Aside from the fact that he is the best in the league...what I admire most about him is his drive, determination, and the fact that I know him and his family from our days growing up in Philadelphia. It's not everyday that you meet someone that grows up to become and accomplish what he has done in the wide world of sports.

Last season I covered the 61-point game in the Garden, and the NBA Finals, so this year I'm looking forward to even more memories and inspiration.

Championship Mettle

4

"Victory is mine..."

Guru - Work

The 2009-10 NBA season begins tonight, and every team begins with a clean slate.

Craft

Last season I covered my first NBA Finals, and as I continue to grow in this business, I feel blessed to do what I love for a living. I've been busy lately covering the Philadelphia Phillies, however in the midst of the MLB...I got a head start on basketball, as I just interviewed Travis Outlaw for the next issue of SLAM magazine on Sunday, and I'm currently working on a piece to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for HOOP magazine.

Its going to be a great season...and you can expect nothing short of my best as I have some editorial and video interviews with the League's elite players.

Stay tuned sports fans.

Peace.

AG.

In the beginning

Dedication

Determination

Leadership

Intelligence

Optimisim

"We ain't in the same league...you can lie to yourself, but can't lie to me..."

Jay-Z - Blow the Whistle

I write for several media outlets, including HOOP and SLAM magazines, so when my editor at HOOP asked for my 2008-09 NBA season preview, I jumped at the chance. I'd grown up reading what the "experts" thought about basketball, and now I am giving my "expert" opinion.

There was one catch...I only had 75 words to capture my view on the upcoming year. The following is what I submitted, and while I wish I had more to share, I'm confident in my picks from MVP, to playoff contender. At the end of the season we will revisit this post and see how right I was, LOL:

HOOP 2008-09 NBA Preview, Anthony Gilbert

The more things change, the more they stay the same. With that said, the Lakers and Celtics will vie for the Larry O’Brien trophy, Kobe wins the Maurice Podoloff, with Dwyane Wade as runner up. The East is stronger with the 76ers-revamped roster, Jermaine O’Neal in Toronto, a full-season of Bibby in Atlanta, and Detroit and its championship nucleus. The West ups the ante with New Orleans, the Texas triangle, and the Clippers.

It's going to be a great season.

Stay tuned!